"Shiro, now that your professor conferment is complete, the League will probably need another two or three days to process the approval."
Shiro nodded. "I know."
That worked out well. He needed to stay at Oak Research Institute for a short while anyway, around three to five days. Once the conferment application was finalized and all matters were handled, he could leave.
But Rowan scratched his head and asked, "Didn't you already apply to establish a research institute in Hoenn? Where do you plan to go after this?"
Logically speaking, since Shiro had already applied to build a research institute in Hoenn, he should return there afterward. After spending some time with Birch, he could move into his own lab.
There was naturally no reason to remain in Sinnoh.
After thinking for a moment, Shiro replied, "I'll let Dale and the others handle things over there. I trust them. After staying here for a few days, I'll return to Sinnoh with you. I still have some unfinished business there."
One matter was the Hunters Guild. He planned to investigate after returning.
As the largest gray-area organization in the Pokémon world, the Hunters Guild had probably already taken notice of him. That metal W had already exposed part of its trail.
The other matter was Mesprit.
Mesprit was still following him, and the agreed time was almost up. If Shiro went straight to Hoenn, Mesprit would likely leave immediately and return to Sinnoh alone.
But if he also returned to Sinnoh, he could enjoy Mesprit's protection for a while longer. He could drag it out a bit and let Mesprit go back after he finished investigating the Hunters Guild.
Rowan looked pleased. "That would be even better."
After saying that, he awkwardly tugged at his beard and explained, "You've helped me so much lately, but I still haven't treated you to that meal I promised at the start..."
Shiro smiled. "No rush. We have plenty of time."
Just then, three knocks sounded from outside.
The door was already open, and an unexpected person stood there smiling.
Messy blond hair, slippers, baggy shorts, and an aged face.
It was Professor Mohn, the man they had seen earlier outside the Institute. He was from Alola.
Mohn said, "I hope I won't be disturbing you for a little while."
Shiro and Rowan exchanged glances, both looking puzzled.
Neither of them knew Mohn very well.
What did he want?
* * *
A short while later.
The three of them sat down on the sofa. The few researchers in the room quietly excused themselves and left. Only the three children remained, along with Growlithe.
Lucas and Dawn were playing with Growlithe, while Sapphire sat nearby hugging her knees, lost in thought.
"In Alola, we have a unique kind of Pokémon. The two of you may not have heard of them, so let me explain in detail first."
Mohn briefly described Ultra Beasts and Ultra Wormholes.
Then he spoke about his recent research.
He was working on creating a special kind of Poké Ball designed specifically to capture Ultra Beasts.
When Shiro heard that, his gaze sharpened slightly.
According to the game settings, the Beast Ball used to capture Ultra Beasts had been developed with the cooperation of the Ultra Recon Squad. And the Ultra Recon Squad was an organization that existed within Ultra Space, whose goal was to restore light to the dark Ultra world.
If Mohn was researching Poké Ball development now, then did that mean he was already in contact with the Ultra Recon Squad?
"Hmm... so you want to meet some Poké Ball craftsmen." Rowan thought for a moment. "There are quite a few in Kanto, but most of them are rather eccentric, and..."
He paused, then looked at Shiro beside him.
Rowan himself was not very interested in Mohn. As for Ultra Beasts, he had only heard of them. It was said those creatures were completely different from normal Pokémon, extremely violent, aggressive, and dangerous.
But perhaps Shiro would be interested in Ultra Beasts.
Mohn noticed Rowan's glance and immediately smiled as he looked toward the young man beside him, whose fame was already rising fast.
He had not expected that this newly conferred Professor would hold such influence. It seemed the rumors were true. In their joint research, Rowan had really been the supporting role.
"Professor Shiro, to solve the troubles of my homeland, I truly need someone's help in creating Poké Balls. I wonder if you could..."
He stopped mid-sentence.
Shiro remained silent for a moment, then clasped his hands and answered steadily, "Yes, of course I can. But..."
Mohn's expression tightened. "Please, go ahead."
"I am very interested in the Alola region and Ultra Beasts. I need some information about Alola and Ultra Beasts. If possible, some of your personal research materials would be even better."
Mohn froze for a few seconds. He clearly had not expected that request.
He could not understand what use such materials would be to a man from Galar, but he quickly agreed anyway.
"Alright!"
* * *
Several hours later.
After discussing specific arrangements with Mohn and exchanging contact information, Shiro saw him off.
Mohn thanked them repeatedly before leaving.
According to him, the reason he had been invited to the Academic Summit this time was because Oak had promised to introduce him to an expert Poké Ball craftsman. But when Mohn first tried to contact Oak, he had been turned away and never even got the chance to meet him.
Left with no choice, he had come to seek help from other professors.
"Kurt should be able to meet his needs," Rowan said.
Kurt was Kanto's most famous Poké Ball specialist and lived in Azalea Town. Rowan knew him well.
Shiro stood up and replied, "Thank you, Professor Rowan."
He personally did not know any Poké Ball experts, so only through Rowan's introduction was he able to obtain information related to Alola.
Rowan stroked the beard under his chin and waved it off. "It's a small matter. I'm just a little puzzled. What's so worth learning about Alola?"
Alola had not even joined the League yet. It was simply a collective name for several islands, and dangerous beings like Ultra Beasts also existed there. Such a place was practically a wilderness, with an even worse reputation than Galar.
At the very least, Galar had a League, a Champion, and Gyms.
"Just a researcher's curiosity. I'm interested."
As Shiro spoke, he looked toward the door.
"Sorry, Professor. I may be a little busy."
Standing by the open doorway were two researchers from Oak Research Institute.
"Professor Shiro, Professor Oak is asking for you."
Both researchers looked respectful.
* * *
After briefly saying goodbye to Rowan, Shiro followed them to the second floor of the institute.
That was where the main research rooms were located.
At the far end of the hallway on the second floor, they pushed open a silver-white door.
Oak stood beside a computer, expressionless, looking at something on the screen.
Once they arrived, the two researchers simply said a few words, then closed the door behind them as they left.
Shiro instinctively looked around the room.
This seemed to be Oak's private research room. It was extremely spacious, comparable to Oleana's laboratory at Macro Cosmos.
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